A team will be formed to identify registered vaidyas who are making claims that gender of the foetus could be changed

After being in a denial mode forest department swung into action on Monday to identify such vaidyas as are offering science defying ayurvedic drugs during the ongoing herbal mela at Bhopal to help a woman bear sons instead of daughters.

Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce Trading and Development Cooperation Federation Limited chairman Mahesh Kori’s initial reaction was in tune with that of his political boss and forest minister Gaurishankar Shejwar.

‘No, it’s not possible at all’ was the reaction of Kori when contacted to know if the federation which organised the herbal mela will take any action against such vaidyas who are making misleading claims to customers.

However, later after realizing the gravity of the issue he said a team would identify such registered vaidyas who are making claims that gender of the foetus could be changed.

“We will debar them so that they are not able to take part in the herbal mela again”, he said talking to the Hindustan Times.

Kori said, “There is no medicine in Ayurveda which can change the gender. If registered vaidyas are doing so, we will identify them and will take action against them.”

Earlier, the forest minister Gaurishankar Shejwar too had said this was not possible that the vaidyas who assembled at the mela could make such misleading claims.

On Monday, HT had reported that in a government organized herbal fair, registered vaidyas are illegally selling medicines of changing gender in the womb of the mother. Vaidyas are also taking guarantee that by spending a mere Rs 1,100, a woman can bear a son.

On Monday, district administration also forwarded the matter to chief medical health officer (CMHO) to take action in this regard.

OPPOSITION WANTS ACTION

Congress leader Mukesh Nayak said, “On one side government shows concern over sex ratio and spends money on running the campaign like ‘save the girl child’ but on the other they are allowing such Ayurvedic practitioners in the fair who are not only misleading people but also violating PCPNDT Act. Such practitioner should be booked under section 420 of IPC.”

Aam Admi Party convener Alok Agrawal said, “What these vaidyas are doing is just a crime. In MP where male female ratio is a major concern, allowing such type of vaidyas without any check could lead to a major problem for future generation.” “There must be clear instructions to vaidyas not to promote and involve in criminal activities like that. It’s very unfortunate that state government is not taking action against such people,” he add